Last weekend was filled with activities, as I hung out with a new group of friends that I met through Couch Surfing. For those that aren’t familiar with Couch Surfing, it’s an online network of people that are willing to host travelers that are visiting their city. Basically, if you are travelling to Londrina (or Cusco, Peru, or anywhere in the world), and you have a profile on the site, you can look up members living in that city who are willing to host you for free. More than being just a free place to stay, your host will show you an insider’s perspective of the city, helping you feel like less of a tourist.
Like a lot of people, at first I was a bit skeptical of the whole concept. Who would want to sleep on a strangers couch and/or allow strangers to sleep on their couch? It’s probably not something I would do if I were traveling or living by myself. What I like about it is that you can decide your level of participation. For example, if you’re not so comfortable hosting people, you can say, “sorry, I don’t have a couch, but I’m happy to meet you for coffee and give you some tips on things to see while you’re here.”
I was first exposed to the group while living in Cusco. During my last few months there, my roommate Kasia and I hosted a few people - a group of crazy Argentinians, a very sweet Canadian couple, and two Japanese girls who had just embarked on a year-long, round-the-world trip, starting in South America (and who made us sushi!). After meeting couch surfers in multiple countries, I’ve realized that it’s more of a community than anything else. Everyone that I’ve met has been polite, kind, and respectful. They like to travel, meet new people, get out and enjoy a variety of activities. I’ve realized that to buy into the Couch Surfing concept, you need to believe that people are fundamentally good and trustworthy. It can be a rare thing to find these days.
When I got to Londrina, I looked up the Londrina Couch Surfing community, figuring it would be a way to meet new people. They were busy organizing what is called an “Invasion,” when one city hosts couch surfers from other cities for a weekend of activities. I had arrived just in time. Note: a number of the group members speak some level of English, but mainly they speak in Portuguese. It has been a fantastic way for me to practice!
Last Friday evening, the weekend kicked off with a happy hour at BarZera overlooking Lake Igapó. The bar had a huge patio with nice lounge areas and a lovely view of the city. It kind of felt like a roof-deck bar in DC, but with a better view. I had no idea such a swanky place existed in Londrina! Of course, then I had to explain to the group what swanky meant, and it became the word of the weekend.
Saturday I attended my first authentic Brazilian barbeque! It was held at a chácara (small farm) outside of Londrina. The “farm” isn’t really anything except a piece of land with a small guest house, patio, pool, and bbq set up, used for nothing other than having churrasco (barbeque). The day was, like most days, sunny and warm, and we spent the afternoon grilling assorted meats, drinking caipirinhas, and playing in the pool. Some people continued the party later that night at a bar, but by then I had had my fill of caipirinhas and practicing Portuguese for one day.
Sunday afternoon was tranquilo, spent relaxing in the park on the shore of Lake Igapó. It was a truly idyllic place to spend a Sunday afternoon, watching people as they enjoyed Sunday walks along the lake. There were even some jet skis out on the lake.
I’m excited to have found this group of friends and look forward to more activities with them.
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